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31/01/2023
Firefighters Vote In Favour Of Strike Action
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Andy Hearn, has said that he supports a pay increase for Firefighters an their right to participate in peaceful strike action.
Mr Hearn was speaking following the results of a UK-wide ballot from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which has voted in favour in strike action.
He continued: "I fully respect and recognise the outcome of the ballot. I wholly support a pay increase for our Firefighters and absolutely recognise the right of Firefighters to participate in peaceful strike action.
"This is a national issue which we are closely monitoring. We will continue to engage with the FBU, National Joint Council, Department of Health and other key stakeholders.
"As an organisation we have a legal responsibility to prepare for strike action and a legal responsibility to deliver our statutory duty. In terms of contingency planning, discussions are ongoing with the FBU to reach clarity about the special arrangements they are prepared to agree for NIFRS which would enable Firefighters to respond to certain categories of high risk calls, should a strike go ahead.
"We recognise that the outcome of this ballot may cause concern or feelings of uncertainty amongst the community that we serve. I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to resolve this national issue. We will know more about what this ballot means for us as a Service in the coming days and weeks and we will continue to provide updates as appropriate."
Mr Hearn was speaking following the results of a UK-wide ballot from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which has voted in favour in strike action.
He continued: "I fully respect and recognise the outcome of the ballot. I wholly support a pay increase for our Firefighters and absolutely recognise the right of Firefighters to participate in peaceful strike action.
"This is a national issue which we are closely monitoring. We will continue to engage with the FBU, National Joint Council, Department of Health and other key stakeholders.
"As an organisation we have a legal responsibility to prepare for strike action and a legal responsibility to deliver our statutory duty. In terms of contingency planning, discussions are ongoing with the FBU to reach clarity about the special arrangements they are prepared to agree for NIFRS which would enable Firefighters to respond to certain categories of high risk calls, should a strike go ahead.
"We recognise that the outcome of this ballot may cause concern or feelings of uncertainty amongst the community that we serve. I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to resolve this national issue. We will know more about what this ballot means for us as a Service in the coming days and weeks and we will continue to provide updates as appropriate."
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Firefighters strike action looms after ballot
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Further Strike Dates Announced For Rathlin Island Ferry Workers
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Further Strike Dates Announced For Rathlin Island Ferry Workers
Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption to residents and economy of Northern Ireland's largest island.
21 October 2002
Firefighters set dates for strike action
The UK's 55,000 firefighters are set to launch a series of strikes following a nine-to-one vote in favour by Fire Brigades Union members on Friday. After the vote, in which 87.
Firefighters set dates for strike action
The UK's 55,000 firefighters are set to launch a series of strikes following a nine-to-one vote in favour by Fire Brigades Union members on Friday. After the vote, in which 87.
18 October 2002
NI firefighters balloted over strike action
UPDATE: Firefighters across the UK have voted in favour of holding strike action in the next stage of their dispute over pay. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to begin their industrial action on October 29 - the first firefighter's strike in Britain for 25 years.
NI firefighters balloted over strike action
UPDATE: Firefighters across the UK have voted in favour of holding strike action in the next stage of their dispute over pay. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to begin their industrial action on October 29 - the first firefighter's strike in Britain for 25 years.
20 May 2004
NI firefighters answer only emergency calls
Firefighters in Northern Ireland look likely to be balloted as a series of 'wildcat strikes' in support of colleagues suspended in the UK has spread to the province. Firefighters in many regions have declared that they will only be answering emergency call-outs in support of their suspended colleagues.
NI firefighters answer only emergency calls
Firefighters in Northern Ireland look likely to be balloted as a series of 'wildcat strikes' in support of colleagues suspended in the UK has spread to the province. Firefighters in many regions have declared that they will only be answering emergency call-outs in support of their suspended colleagues.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
